A total blackout was implemented in Jalandhar and Bhuj in Kutch following India’s announcement of successfully thwarting a significant offensive by Pakistan, which included synchronized drone assaults and cross-border artillery fire. This occurred just one day after Indian forces executed precise operations aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure along the Line of Control (LoC). The Ministry of Defence reported on May 8 that several Pakistani attempts to target Indian military facilities in the northern and western regions—specifically Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Gujarat—were effectively neutralized overnight by India’s air defense systems. Key locations targeted included Srinagar, Pathankot, Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Chandigarh. In retaliation, India conducted counterstrikes on May 8, successfully destroying Pakistani air defense radars and systems at various sites, including Lahore. The ministry emphasized that India’s response matched the intensity of Pakistan’s provocations and was strictly defensive, aimed at neutralizing immediate threats. This escalation followed India’s precision strikes on May 7 against nine terrorist camps—four located in Pakistan and five in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)—which were executed in response to credible intelligence and a rise in militant activities following the Pahalgam terror attack. Amid rising tensions, Pakistani officials claimed to have downed five Indian aircraft and 25 drones, but India refuted these assertions as falsehoods. An official from the Indian embassy in Beijing stated, ‘There is no truth to the Pakistani narrative.
These claims are part of their attempt to shift focus from India’s successful anti-terror operations.’ Additionally, India reported increased shelling from Pakistan along the LoC, with mortars and heavy artillery targeting civilian areas in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri, resulting in the deaths of at least 16 Indian civilians, including five children and three women, and injuring over 50 others.On the night of May 7, the government carried out blackout drills in border regions, leading to instances of panic buying in several towns in Punjab due to concerns over potential retaliatory actions from Pakistan. During a bilateral meeting with Iranian officials in New Delhi, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar commented on the situation, asserting that India does not desire escalation but will respond decisively to any attacks on its territory. The Defense Ministry further emphasized the integration of advanced technologies in their response strategy, confirming the deployment of HARPY drones to neutralize Pakistan’s radar capabilities and the S-400 air defense system to intercept any incoming missiles. As the situation evolves, the Indian government has reiterated its commitment to national security and sovereignty, indicating that while it seeks to avoid a broader conflict, it will take strong measures against any threats.
